Foundation garment providing orthopedic support

ABSTRACT

A foundation garment which provides support in both the abdominal and pelvic regions. The garment is in the form of a body enveloping sheath of an elastic material which has nonelastic panels at least at the upper portions of the front and back of the garment. A removable body-encircling elastic band is attached to tabs at the opposite sides of the upper front panel and is positioned vertically adjustably in the back by a strip of Velcro. Patches of Velcro are also provided for holding the tabs against the front of the garment when the body-encircling band is not used.

[451 June 20, 1972 United States Patent Johnson v 128/578 X ...128/547 X Champagne: et al. ..............l28/528 X [54] FOUNDATION GARMENT PROVIDING 3,196,879 7/1965 Lesse.........,

ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT 1,203,020 10/1916 Leopold etal....... [72] Inventor: Leona M. Johnson, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 3'3l4433 4/1967 ATCO Surgical Supports Co., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin; Attorney-Oldham & Oldham [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed: April 2, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 25,035

A foundation garment which provides support in both the ab dominal and pelvic regions. The garment is in the form of a body enveloping sheath of an elastic material which has nonelastic panels at least at the upper, portions of the front and back of the garment. A removable body-encircling elastic band is attached to tabs at the opposite sides of the upper front panel and is positioned vertically adjustably in the back by a strip of Velcro. Patches of Velcro are also provided for hold- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ing the tabs against the front of the garment when the bodyencircling band is not used.

128/547 128/547 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 2,680,848 6/1954 Hannesetal.......................... 2,942,605 6/1960 Erteszek................................

PATENTEDJUH20 I972 SHEET 10F 2 FIG. 2

FIG. I

INVENTOR. LEONA M. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEUJUMQ I972 SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR. LEONA M. JOHNSON 7 ATTORNEYS.

FOUNDATION GARMENT PROVIDING ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT This invention relates to orthopedic types of foundation garments convertible to substantially conventional styles of foundation garments when desired.

While foundation garments which provide orthopedic support have been known heretofore, such garments have been complicated in construction. Typically, these garments have a great many lacings which increase the cost of manufacture of the garment and make it difiicult for the user to put on. The prior garments have also lacked a smoothness in design and finish when worn and may be noticeable when worn with snug fitting clothes. The support providing foundation garments of the prior art have been designed solely as orthopedic supports and have not been suitable for use as a fashionwear garment.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment which provides orthopedic support. This is accomplished in the present invention by providing a foundation garment in the form of a body-enveloping elastic sheath, having non-elastic portions which contain steel stays to provide support to the abdominal and pelvic regions and by providing an adjustable body-encircling elastic band to provide additional support.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a foundation garment providing orthopedic support which is easy for the user to put on and which is comfortable when worn. In the present invention, this is accomplished by constructing the garment of an elastic material and by providing a simple method for securing the body-encircling band which pennits this band to be applied after the user has put on the garment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an orthopedic foundation garment which is of attractive appearance and which may be worn without a separate reenforcing body-encircling band. This objective is fulfilled by provid ing a foundation garment which has the general appearance of a conventional girdle and by providing a novel attaching arrangement for the body-encircling band which permits this band to be removed when desired.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

H0. 1 is a front elevational view of the orthopedic supportsupplying foundation garment of my invention;

HO. 2 is a perspective view of the back and right side portions of the garment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back portion of the garment with the body-encircling band removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inner face of the body-encircling band;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front portion of the garment with the body-encircling band removed therefrom;

H6. 6 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the back portion of the garment; and

FIG. 7 is an elevation of the front portion of a second embodiment of the invention.

The garment consists generally of a front panel 10, back panel 12, non-elastic side panels 14 and 16, and an encircling band 18. The front panel is formed of a piece of elastic material and a smaller piece of non-elastic material 22 which overlies the panel 20 and is sewn at its edges to the elastic piece 20. The non-elastic piece 22 is centered between the sides of the piece 20 and extends downwardly from the top thereof. As will be seen from FlG. 5, triangularly shaped tabs 26, also of a non-elastic material, are secured to the front panel 10 by the stitching which secures the non-elastic piece 22. These tabs 26 are provided on their outer faces with parallel rows of eyes 28 and on their rear faces with fastening means 30 which cooperate with mating fastening means 32 attached to the piece 20 of the panel 10. Preferably, the fastening means 30 and 32 consist of mating pieces of Velcro, one of the pieces having numerous closely spaced hooklike filaments on one surface and the other piece having numerous closely spaced loops on one surface.

The back panel 12 consists of an upper central panel 38, of a non-elastic material, a lower central panel 40 of an elastic material, and right and left side panels 42 and 44, both formed of elastic material. The panels 38 and 40 are stitched together as indicated at 46 along the lower edge of the panel 38 and the upper edge of the panel 40. The right and left side portions 42 and 44 of the rear panel are joined to the panels 38 and 40 by stitching 48 along the lateral edges of these panels. Secured to the non-elastic piece 38 on the vertical center line thereof and in the lower portion thereof is a strip 50 of one type of Velcro, preferably a fibrous strip.

The right and left lateral edges of the front panel 10 are secured to the lateral edges of the side panels 14 and 16 by sewn seams 36. The rear panel 12 is attached to the side panels 14 and 16 along each outer lateral edge by seams 52. The left side panel 16 is normally provided with a zipper 54 at an opening therein and the zipper extends from the upper edge of the panel 16 down about two-thirds of the panel length. Both of the panels 14 and 16 are formed of pieces of non-elastic material and stays 56 and 57 may be sewn in to the upper half of the side panels 14 and 16. A band of elastic 58 stitched to folded over edges of the joined panels along their upper circumference and a similar elastic band 60 is stitched to the lower circumference of the garment. Stays 34 are positioned under the front panel 24.

It will be seen from FIG. 6 that the back of the garment is also provided with two vertically directed orthopedic metal stays 68 that overlie the piece 38 and are received inpockets formed by strips of material 70 having a plush surface. These plush strips 70 are stitched along their edges to the piece 38.

As an important feature of the invention, the removable pelvic support and reenforcing body-encircling band 18, illustrated in FIG. 4, has a belt-like piece of elastic material 72 which has securing means, shown as including straps 74 at each end. Hooks 76 are mounted on the straps 74. The band 72 widens out at its mid-point and is provided with a vertically extending strip 78 of Velcro material of the hook type which mates with and will engage the strip of material 50 on the back panel of the garment. When the body-encircling band is used, the Velcro strip 78 on the inner surface of the band 72 is pressed against the mating Velcro strip 59 on the back panel of the garment and the ends of the bands 72 are brought around the sides of the garment and secured to the garment by means of the hooks 76 at the ends of the bands and the eyes 28 on the tabs 26. It should be noted that since the body-encircling band 72 is held in position at the back of the garment by means of Velcro fasteners, the vertical position of the band may be adjusted as desired so long as at least a portion of the Velcro strips 50 and 78 are overlapped. The support action can be adjusted by use of different ones of the anchoring eyes 28.

When the body-encircling band 72 is not used, the garment may be worn as an ordinary girdle. The Velcro pieces 30 and 32 may then be used to hold the flaps 26 close to the front panel 10 thus presenting a neat, flat appearance. In order to prevent bunching or wrinkling of the front panel .10 when the flaps 26 are secured by the Velcro fasteners 30 and 32, it is preferable that the garment be pulled into its operating position before the flaps 26 are pressed against the panel 10, thus permitting the elastic to stretch naturally.

Stocking clips 80 of conventional construction may be provided along the lower edge of the garment, if desired.

By forming the tabs 26 of triangular shape and securing their bases to the non-elastic front panel 22, the reenforcing stresses of the band 18 are safely transmitted to the remainder of the foundation garment.

As will be seen from FIG. 7, the principles of my invention may be embodied in a panty girdle. In this embodiment, the girdle or foundation garment has an elastic front panel 82, the lower portions 84 of which extend downwardly and are joinui to an elastic panel 86 and the lower portions of the rear panel to form short legs on the garment. A non-elastic panel 88 is sewn to the upper front portion of the front panel 82 and has tabs 90 carrying rows of hooks 92. A body-encircling band 94 is also provided and, as in the previous embodiment, has hooks 96 at its ends for engaging the eyes 92 of the tabs 90. Stays 98 may be provided in the non-elastic panel 88. While not illustrated herein, the back portion of the garment has a non-elastic center panel, a Velcro strip on the outer surface of the rear center panel, stays, closure means etc. all generally the same as in the previous embodiment of the invention or as customarily made in the art. The back stays may be carried by a separate inner fabric strip only secured to the garment at its upper ends.

lt should now be apparent that the present invention provides an orthopedic support type foundation garment which fulfills the objectives set out above. The combination of vertical stays and the adjustable body-encircling eleastic band permits the amount of the support to both the pelvic and abdominal regions to be adjusted as desired by the individual user and the fabric panel 22 gives improved abdominal control. This arrangement also makes the garment easier to put on as the complicated lacings of the prior art devices are omitted. Also, since the body-encircling band is not tightened until after the garment has been put on, the garment may be easily pulled on over the wearer's hips without having to overcome the full tension which would be present if the band were not detachable. The provision in the present invention of the removable bands 18 and 94 and the means for securing the tabs when the garment is worn without the body-encircling band permits the use of the garment as a fashionwear girdle as well as an orthopedic device.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and that further modifications and/or additions may be made thereto. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second nonelastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first nonelastic panel and having first fastening members thereon, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.

2. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-encircling sheath having front and rear panels of an elastic material, a first non-elastic panel having lateral portions overlying said front panel at the upper portion thereof; a second non-elastic panel overlying said back panel at the upper portion thereof, a removable elastic band sub stantially encircling said sheath, and cooperating means on the lateral portions of said first non-elastic panel and on said band for releasably securing the ends of said band to said first nonelastic panel. and means releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel in vertically adjustable relationship thereto.

3. The foundation garment according to claim 2 wherein said cooperating means for securing said band to said first non-elastic panel comprises tabs secured at only one edge thereof to opposite sides of said first non-elastic panel, said tabs having first hook members thereon, the ends of said band having second cooperating hook members thereon, and means for releasably securing the free ends of said tabs to said front 4. The foundation garment according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing said tabs comprises pieces of a first material secured to the rear surface of said tabs and pieces of a second material secured to said front panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof.

5. The foundation garment according to claim 2 wherein said means for securing said band comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof.

6. The foundation garment according to claim 2 where said band securing means include a pair of vertically extending cooperating fastening strips, one being secured to the inside surface of said band and the second being secured to said second non-elastic panel, said fastening strips enabling vertical adjustment of the band on a wearer.

7. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second nonelastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first nonelastic panel and having first fastening members thereof, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.

8. The foundation garment according to claim 7 wherein said securing means for said band comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second nonelastic panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof, both of said pieces of material extending substantially vertically of the garment.

9. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising: a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels; a first non-elastic panel, having lateral margins, on and overlying said front panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto; a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured to and forming a part of said back panel; an elastic band for encircling said sheath; means connected to said first non-elastic panel on the lateral margins thereof releasably operably securing the ends of said band to such first panel whereby a convertible garment is provided and abdominal support is provided by the double thickness portion of said front panel; and means for releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel, and said last-named means comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel at the lower portion thereof, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof whereby adjustment of the position of said band on the back of the gannent can be made.

a at t t 

1. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band sUbstantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first non-elastic panel and having first fastening members thereon, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.
 2. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-encircling sheath having front and rear panels of an elastic material, a first non-elastic panel having lateral portions overlying said front panel at the upper portion thereof; a second non-elastic panel overlying said back panel at the upper portion thereof, a removable elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, and cooperating means on the lateral portions of said first non-elastic panel and on said band for releasably securing the ends of said band to said first non-elastic panel, and means releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel in vertically adjustable relationship thereto.
 3. The foundation garment according to claim 2 wherein said cooperating means for securing said band to said first non-elastic panel comprises tabs secured at only one edge thereof to opposite sides of said first non-elastic panel, said tabs having first hook members thereon, the ends of said band having second cooperating hook members thereon, and means for releasably securing the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.
 4. The foundation garment according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing said tabs comprises pieces of a first material secured to the rear surface of said tabs and pieces of a second material secured to said front panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof.
 5. The foundation garment according to claim 2 wherein said means for securing said band comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof.
 6. The foundation garment according to claim 2 where said band securing means include a pair of vertically extending cooperating fastening strips, one being secured to the inside surface of said band and the second being secured to said second non-elastic panel, said fastening strips enabling vertical adjustment of the band on a wearer.
 7. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first non-elastic panel and having first fastening members thereof, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.
 8. The foundation garment according to claim 7 wherein said securing means for said band comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the otheR of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof, both of said pieces of material extending substantially vertically of the garment.
 9. A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising: a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels; a first non-elastic panel, having lateral margins, on and overlying said front panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto; a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured to and forming a part of said back panel; an elastic band for encircling said sheath; means connected to said first non-elastic panel on the lateral margins thereof releasably operably securing the ends of said band to such first panel whereby a convertible garment is provided and abdominal support is provided by the double thickness portion of said front panel; and means for releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel, and said last-named means comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel at the lower portion thereof, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof whereby adjustment of the position of said band on the back of the garment can be made. 